TVR Spring 2014 - Renault Car Club of Victoria

Transcription

the victorian renault
RENAULT CAR CLUB OF VICTORIA
DRIVING AN F1 CAR
How does that feel?
MALDON
via
MANY
MORRIS
MINORS
September’s run
REVIEWED
Stop...
at Superstop
spring 2014 - october
RENAULT CAR CLUB of VICTORIA
THE VICTORIAN RENAULT
SPRING 2014
Contents
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
4
Hi there,
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
5
ANNOUNCEMENTS
5
This edition we see the departure of the Renault of
the Decade series and the return of RA Managing
Director Justin Hocevar’s missives and the Calender
is back in the centre of the magazine.
Things to note
RENAULT MEDIA
7
News from the World of Renault
AUGUST SOCIAL EVENT
9
Flowerdale Drive
SEPTEMBER SOCIAL EVENTS
10
From Morris Minors to Maldon
FROM THE MD’S DESK AT RENAULT
13
Justin Hocevar
AN F! EXPERIENCE
13
Iain Banks drives an F1 car
CALENDAR
COOKING WITH GABRIEL
14-15
16
Scallop Mouse with a Prawn Sauce
GENERAL MEETINGS
18
at August, September, October meetings
BUSINESS REVIEW
20
Make a Stop at Superstop
FOR THE THINKERS
23
Who owns which Renault
MOTOR SPORT - FORMULA ONE
24
September 2014 Formula 1 Wrap Up
CLUB SHOP
25
VICTORIAN DEALERS
25
RECYCLED RENAULT
26
It has been a busy couple of months for the club
with the Historic Sandown marshalling being a little
more than just providing bodies. There was that ’oh
oh’ moment at the meeting with the VHRR when
they said ’we haven’t done it like this before, you’ll
have to do the organising…’. Well, that all went well
in the end, at the expense of time going into things
like this magazine.
You know the old story about the child who says to
his mother ‘he followed me home, can I keep him’
about the dog at his feet? Well, this Trak Blue R12
followed me home … no, really it did. It’s owner
from round the corner who bought it new in ‘75
having decided she’s not up to driving any more
said ’I see you like Renaults, would you like this
one? What gave that away I thought? I was allowed
to keep it. :-)
That consumed some time too. But I have to resist
giving it more as Christmas is upon us soon and the
place must be presentable for the clan gathering
(our turn this year). But still there’s that little voice
in your head, “come and play with me…”.
In June we had Terry Meehan waxing lyrical about
the Megane RS 265; this month we reprint Iain
Banks’ description of driving an F1 back in 2000. It
came to out attention when Car Magazine reprinted
it in Iain’s death last year. Iain Banks is a very successful writer and he brought that expertise to bear
in penning the article 14 years ago. A good read
remains a good read no matter the passing of time.
Speaking of which, we’re always on the lookout for
a good read to include so send them in, or point us
in their direction.
Have a merry, and safe, Christmas and New Year
Geoff and Ken
Copying-
Disclaimer-
Car club newsletters and magazines are free to copy
without written consent, as long as recognition of
the source material is given.
The opinions expressed in The Victorian Renault may not be those of the
editor and/or the committee members acting on behalf of the Renault
Car Club of Victoria Inc. All articles are published in good faith and no
responsibility can be held due to circumstances beyond our control.
Spring 2014 - October
3
COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2013-14
PRESIDENT
SPORTING COORDINATOR
Mikee Elliott
0409 939 935
griffyn182@gmail.com
Graeme Edwards
0408 057 525
champds@bigpond.net.au
VICE-PRESIDENT
MERCHANDISE
Geoff Rasmussen
0419 357 509
geoff.rasmussen@systemia.com.au
Kay Belcourt
0413 651 210
truocleb306@gmail.com
SECRETARY
EDITORS
John Elliott
0409 906 108
elliottjh@optusnet.com.au
Geoff Rasmussen
0419 357 509
geoff.rasmussen@systemia.com.au
Ken Marriott
9399 1614 / 0418 178 788
ken.marriott@hmleisureplanning,com
TREASURER
Stuart McKenzie
0418 139 049
mckoinic@hotmail.com
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
GENERAL COMMITTEE
Chris Gajic
9735 0358 / 0421 459 226
cgajic@swin.edu.au
Stephen Langridge
0424 537 714
stephenlangridge@gmail.com
CLUB PHONE NUMBER
Graeme Rasmussen
0421 367 818
g.r.rasmussen@hotmail.com
0429 881 128
Spiro Kapsalis
0422 863 070
spirokapsalis@gmail.com
CLUB MEETING
WHERE…
Dorothy Laver Reserve Pavilion
Dorothy Laver Reserve
Saxby Road Glen Iris (Mel 59 K10)
WHEN…
Third Tuesday every month
7.30 pm
Front Cover: Ross’s new racing Dauphine. Photo by
Jason Byrne, www.alittlebitsideways.co.nz
Articles by Pamela Talevska, Ken Marriott, Geoff Rasmussen, Iain Banks, Justin Hocevar
Photos by Venus Lane, Joost Kuckartz, David Jenkins,
Ken Marriott, Glenn Armstrong, Geoff Rasmussen,
Renault Media
4
JOINING / RENEWING
The membership year runs from June to July. Applications for membership can be made at any time by submitting a completed application to the membership secretary by post to:
PO Box 111 Heidelberg VIC 3084
The Application form is available for download from www.RCCV.info.
It is also occasionally printed on the back of the magazine’s mailing
address slip.
It is a condition of Club Permits for vehicle that the owner remains a
financial member of the club. If the permit expires later than the
membership year and membership is not renewed the permit becomes no longer valid.
Welcome to new members: Andrew Davis, Michael & Louise Dickson,
Jeremy Hooi, Zoran Kavalk, Nick & Helen Koeinig, Christopher Koren,
Tom Koukouvaos, Stephen Longbottom, Phil Sethna, and Greg Testolin
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
It’s been a real eye-opener this year to go
back through the club permit logbook that I
have kept over the past year to see just how
much I’ve used my chrome-bumper toy, with
club trips featuring prominently in giving me
that nudge I needed to get her out of the
garage and onto the streets.
We’ve got a few things on the horizon in the club, notably
the Round-Up in February next year, and I’d like to take a
moment to acknowledge the support of Barry Bourke Renault and AutoParis for this event. We’re also trying something new and offering a trophy for a commercial Renault do you own a Kangoo, Trafic, or Master? We’d love to see it
join us along with you on the day.
If you have a CPS vehicle, I strongly recommend grabbing
your logbook for last year (if you still have it!) and taking a
look through what you did, when, and how many days you
have left. There’s a strong temptation, for me anyway, for
these cars to become goldilocks items - only out when it’s
not too hot, or not too cold, or not likely to rain - and not get
the use they deserve and you as the owners enjoy. Have an
adventure! Take them out for no other reason than you
enjoy driving them. It’s what the scheme was designed to
enable, and I’ve found great joy cruising in my R16 for no
other reason than I felt like it.
The club has also received high praise from the VHRR for
the effort that we put in for the Historic Sandown event competition paddock marshalling. Geoff (our editor extraordinaire and general doer of fantastic things) put in a heap of
effort, and I feel that most of the praise we have received as
a club was down to the legwork he undertook. It was a brilliant experience, and everyone involved from our end had
fantastic feedback about the event - we’re about to commit
to next year, and we’d love to hear from you if you’re able to
spare a couple of hours for the next event.
Happy Renaulting
Mikee
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Club Christmas Breakup
69 Karnak Road, Glen Iris
7:30pm 16th December
Life members Rob and Kay Belcourt have graciously offered
their home for our Christmas function this year. It’s only a
few streets away from the club rooms and parking is available along Ryburne Ave.
As in the past we will be having a sausage sizzle which will
be provided by the club, along with soft drinks. If you wish
to bring alcohol you may do so. If you have any particular
dietary requirements, these must also be supplied by you.
The BBQ will be available for cooking.
RENAULT ROUND-UP
Piazza Docklands
22nd FEBRUARY 2015
Cars to arrive 8:30am via Doepel Way
The Renault Round-Up is on again next year in February.
The Docklands Piazza redevelopment is still on hold so it’s
still available for us.
We’re showcasing Renault commercial vehicles this time
round - the marque has been having great success with the
LCV (light commercial vehicle) range but this doesn’t appear
to be widely known. With luck we’ll have an interesting display of LCVs if negotiations are successful. If you know anyone with a Renault LCV encourage them to bring it along and
be part of the show;; there’s a trophy category for them.
We’re also hoping to have a couple of the zero emission
electric vehicles Renault have in Australia at the moment.
Awards will be given for Best Sporting Renault (sponsored by
Auto Paris), Best pre-2001 Renault, Best post-2001 Renault,
Best Renault Commercial and Best Renault in Show
(sponsored by Barry Bourke Renault).
RCCV Sporting Champion
New club sporting competition for 2015
The club is introducing a annual sporting championship for
club members. The competition is for a single ‘RCCV Sporting Champion’ across all sporting disciplines, be they hill
climb, sprints, motorkhana or other.
The club doesn’t have the capacity to conduct competitive
sporting events on it’s own so the championship is based on
member’s results in events run by other clubs. Any CAMS
affiliated club event in which a member participates in is
eligible and members do not need to be competing in a full
competition - for example, having a run at one of the Rob
Roy Interclub Challenge hillclimb counts. It’s possible that
singular success at a one-off event may trump a year’s effort
in another competition if that resulted in little success.
The championship runs for a calendar year and ‘entry’ is
automatic on entry into a CAMS club event anywhere in Australia. Competitors will need to provide advice of entry and
results so we can maintain a tally. There’ll be a trophy and
prize, and 2015 will be a trial year.
(Continued on page 6)
5
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(Continued from page 5)
Scoring is
1 point for participation
3 points for 1st place, 2 for 2nd and 1 for 3rd in class
10 points for an outright win at the event
Points will be based on the normal scoring method for that
particular discipline of motor sport eg. Hillclimbs the fastest
run is used and Motorkhanas the best elapsed time.
Contact Graeme Edwards (0408 057 525), Geoff Rasmussen
(0419 357 509) or John Elliott (0409 906 108) for details.
RCCV Display Champion
New club competition for 2015
The club is also going to trial an annual ‘show and shine’
championship in 2015. This will aggregate results from the
Renault Round-Up, the French Car Festival and any other
event where the club puts on a display. This may include
displays at Sandown Red Hill, Motorclassica, etc. where
scoring could be done.
The full details of included events, scoring, ‘classes’ (if any)
etc. are yet to be sorted out. This competition is open to all
club members, though of course the included events are
open to non-member Renault owners who may take
out the winning places in those events.
6
RENAULT MEDIA
News from the World of Renault
Geoff Rasmussen
Two more sales records
In June, the four-year revival programme reached a new
milestone with more than 1,000 vehicles delivered in one
month, bringing the half year total to 4380 vehicles – up
52.5% year to date and more than the double the full year
sales of 2010. For the 2014 Financial Year, Renault has
delivered 8523 vehicles, a record.
“Our strong, yet sustainable sales momentum has continued
to build over the past four years and we are delighted to
have achieved this monthly total, a number that seemed a
significant stretch target when it was discussed at management level not so long ago,” says Justin Hocevar, Managing
Director of Renault Australia.
“However, we had a plan in place to ramp up our appeal to
the market, not only in terms of product renewal, but critically by developing our dealer network and implementing a
series of customer reassurance programmes that are obviously striking a positive chord with private, business and
fleet buyers alike.
“The strongest first half of a year in our recent history augurs well for another record-breaking sales result for our
resurgent brand.
“Our LCV offerings have been enhanced by the arrival of a
freshened Kangoo, including the five-seat Maxi Crew version
that offers increased functionality for small business buyers,
and which, in the few weeks it has been on sale has generated significant interest and orders.
Hatch and Wagon both feature a 0-100km time of 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 240 km/h.
Commenting on the launch of the renewed Mégane range
Justin Hocevar, Managing Director of Renault Australia, said:
“The Mégane nameplate is the best known and highest selling Renault nameplate in Australia and it is exciting to introduce this renewal of the range. We have already seen a very
positive reaction by Renault customers to Laurens van den
Acker’s design language with the award-winning Clio and we
are confident customers will embrace the renewed Mégane
range.
“One of the highlights of the renewed Mégane range is the
introduction of the new TCe 130 petrol engine from Renault’s Energy Engine range. This new engine delivers in all
respects – from sprightly performance to impressive fuel
economy and it is a genuinely enjoyable drive experience. I
am confident that this engine will become a welcome addition to the Mégane range and anticipate the TCe 130 representing two thirds of all Mégane sales.
“Another exciting addition to the Mégane range is the permanent introduction of the GT220 specification in both the
Sport Wagon and Hatch variant. We had a very positive
customer reaction to the limited edition Mégane GT220
Sport Wagon when we launched in 2013. There were several customers who had previously considered a Mégane
RS265 but needed the practicality of a 5-door vehicle and a
more family-oriented suspension set-up.
“And we still have the segment-busting Captur to launch in
Australia, a vehicle that has been a huge success in European markets where it has been on sale for several months.
Demand there for Captur is exceptional, and we have had to
fight hard to retain our initial allocation.
Along with several other markets we fed this strong customer acceptance back to the team at Renault Sport Technologies and we are thrilled that they were able to respond to
this demand and introduce both a hatch variant of the
GT220 and ensure that this specification is a permanent
inclusion in the Renault Mégane range.
“I am sure that once it arrives in Australia it will be met with
similar levels of demand as Europe,” he says.
About 27% of Renault sales in 2013 were Mégane s; these
new options are likely to see that grow.
New Mégane s
Five Year Warranty
In July 2013, Renault Australia introduced the limited edition Mégane GT220 Sport Wagon to bridge the gap between
Renault’s central Mégane range and the Renault Sport vehicles. Demand for this vehicle and for a hatch variant has
resulted in adding the new Mégane GT220 Hatch and the
permanent inclusion of the Mégane GT220 Sport Wagon to
the Mégane line-up.
There is now a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty on all
Renault Sport and GT vehicles The new Mégane GT220
Hatch and Wagon also receive the new warranty And customers receive 5 years of roadside assistance to give further
peace-of-mind.
As with the Mégane GT220 Sport Wagon, the Mégane
GT220 Hatch features the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine from the Mégane R.S. range. This has an output of
220 hp (162 kW) and 340 Nm and thanks to the addition of
Stop & Start technology, has a combined cycle fuel consumption of just 7.3-litres per 100km. The Mégane GT220
“We are incredibly confident in the exceptional quality of all
of our products, including our Renault Sport and GT vehicles,
and this change in warranty enables us to demonstrate that
confidence to all Australian consumers." says Justin Hocevar
In the past 6 years Renault has seen a 68% reduction in the
warranty costs per vehicle, which are now some of the lowest in the industry.
7
RENAULT MEDIA cont.
Twizy Arrives In Australia
The innovative four-wheeled Zero Emission electric vehicle
the Renault Twizy, has made landfall in Australia, its first
step on what could be a long road to create a new category
of environmentally friendly personal mobility device.
road authorities to Twizy, we will gain a greater understanding
of the concept and what it could deliver for Australia drivers.
“We don’t think that just because Twizy has a steering wheel
instead of a handlebar it should be automatically disqualified from consideration as a legitimate form of personal
transport in Australia,” he says.
The regulations that govern quadricycles are not the same
as those for a car, but Twizy still draws on Renault’s expertise in vehicle safety. Four wheels are obviously more stable
than two or three, Twizy has disc brakes all-round and hugs
the road thanks to development input from Renault Sport
Technologies.
The driver benefits from a front airbag and a four-point harness, and there is a three-point seat belt for the passenger.
Twizy’s optional scissor doors provide additional protection
from both the elements and draughts.
There's two dash-mounted glove boxes (3.5 and 5 litres, the
latter lockable), equipped with a 12V power supply, and a 31litre stowage area concealed behind the passenger seat.
Twizy is classed as a quadricycle in Europe, but because
there is no suitable categorisation in Australia, Twizy is currently required to conform to passenger vehicle standards,
and so has to meet the same criteria as a Renault Koleos,
despite doing the same job as an electric scooter; carrying
two people around the city.
Twizy is 450kg with an urban cycle range of 100km thanks
to its 6.1kWh lithium-ion battery and braking/deceleration
energy recovery system. In real-world use, customers can
expect a range of 80km by applying eco-driving principles
(55km in severe conditions with repeated hard acceleration). Twizy can be fully recharged from a regular power
socket in around 3.5 hours.
Twizy is the third Renault Zero Emission vehicle to turn a
wheel in Australia after the Fluence Z.E. sedan, and the
Kangoo Z.E. light van (examples of which are currently on
test with Australia Post). In fact, the Renault ZOE Zero Emission light car also visited Australia for hot climate testing
during its final development and toured Down Under wearing
a snazzy disguise (probably why you may have missed it).
“Twizy has to be seen to be believed and driven to be understood, which is why we have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the first example,” says Justin Hocevar.
“Renault is a global leader in Zero Emission vehicles. Twizy
offers a unique, imaginative and exciting view of future personal mobility, one that would fit very well into our increasingly congested cityscapes. It is possible to fit three Twizys
into a standard car park and in addition Twizy can be
charged overnight from a standard household socket.
For commuters travelling only short distances each day,
Twizy could be the ideal solution, and arguably far safer than
two-wheeled travel,” Hocevar says.
“Twizy has been an incredible success in Europe, where it has
been on sale for around two years. We are hoping that by
exposing some opinion formers, lawmakers, and relevant
8
e.dams-Renault
In the Formula E Championship Renault is to be title sponsor
of e.dams-Renault. A year ago, Renault confirmed its commitment as technical partner to the new Formula E championship for electric single-seater racing cars. Now, Renault
has extended its involvement with the announcement that it
will be the title sponsor of the e.dams-Renault team which is
jointly owned by Renault brand ambassador Alain Prost and
Jean-Paul Driot.
This partnership sees Renault step up its investment in this
all-new, particularly innovative discipline. The challenge
AUGUST SOCIAL EVENT
Flowerdale Drive
Geoff Rasmussen
The August run to Flowerdale was arranged at the last minute
by Glenn and Ken when we couldn’t get a booking for the Morris Garage as planned. That run got pushed to September.
I can do no better than to quote David Jenkins: “It was a
good day today, well organized by Glenn. The meal at the
hotel was pretty good too! I made it home safely through
Kinglake, Eltham, Doncaster and back home to Ormond. A
total of 111 miles since leaving home this morning.” The
‘safely’ comment was because David’ immaculate 4CV was
only managing 25km/h up the hills on the way out. A subsequent reset of the timing has made it much more spritely
and he keeps up with the speed limit, if not with an
RS given its head.
Renault poseurs (L to R): Ken, Graeme, Mikee, Chris & Steve, Joost & Connie, Mike, Glenn and David behind the camera
9
SEPETEMBER SOCIAL EVENT
From Morris Minors to Maldon
Geoff Rasmussen
A bakers dozen of club cars loitered in the car park of the
Calder Park service centre while their drivers and passengers were inside sipping coffee and getting to know
new members Louise and Michael. We were on our way
to visit the Morris Minor Garage in Harcourt and thence
to picturesque Maldon for lunch.
We regrouped at Harcourt to handover our response
sheets, stand around nattering in the gorgeous sunshine
and to play follow the leader to the Morris Minor Garage,
which was tucked away in a corner a little way out of town.
The Morrie Minor Garage is a private museum dedicated
to the car. It has a terrific collection of Morris
Minors ranging from the very earliest to the last
in various configurations made. It even has the
one used in the ABC TV series Mother and Son.
After we had all surrendered to the charms of
the place - the Garage is on a rural property
growing olives and fruit trees with wonderful
views - it was inside for a coffee from the period café attached to the Garage. You can see
how relaxing that was in the photo below.
This was an observation run, so Glenn set us off at carefully measured intervals under a sky as blue as Louise’s
new Clio. The route took us up the freeway to Malmsbury through Taradale and on to Harcourt via Harmony Way. A little bit of harmony didn’t go
astray in my vehicle - what is it about an
observation run that generates shall
we say ‘animated’ discussion?
We may have been doing
what Glenn advised
against i.e. overthinking it!
Clearly it was
hard to take.
We then got the tour of
the garage and a very detailed and informative talk about
Morris Minors. The condition of the
cars was immaculate and the garage itself
was a museum piece filled with memorabilia
and other items. It wasn’t all Morris Minors, there were a
couple of Holdens and other older vehicles around including the blue beauty pictured out in front.
10
The view from the top is spectacular. It’s no wonder they
put a fire spotter’s tower on the pinnacle. One got a
great view of our cars spread out in an arc at the foot of
the tower. One also nearly got blown off the tower by the
wind. Crikey it was blowing a gale up there. The hill is
the only thing breaking the wind for miles around so it
really howls around the tower.
All too soon it was time to hit the road again and head to
Maldon. After another stand in the sun and a natter, we
dispersed through the town to find eateries to our various likings.
Maldon does have a nice range of place to dine but most
are on the smaller side. It was also somewhat crowded the place we ended up had only the one table free when
we entered.
Since Maldon is not far from the Tarrengower hillclimb
track, run organisers Glenn and Hen
included it as the
last leg of the day’s
run. It was an untimed run up the hill
- a pity, it would
have made for an
interesting set of
figures!
By this time, Ken
and Glenn had tallied the scores and
worked out a winner. So it was more
standing in the sun,
but with less nattering as we were
listening attentively
to the judges run
through of the correct answers. It wasn’t long before Jenny and I concluded that we had indeed been overthinking
the questions and were well out of the running for a place.
The winners of the observation run were the new members Louise and Michael Dickson. Runners-up were the
Stewart family and a special award went to David Kirsa
for best answer to ‘what’s inspiring about Taradale’: ‘the
exit sign!’ The judges decision on this was endorsed by
the laugher from the crowd.
The formalities over with, it was time for the trip home. I
took a wrong turn, ended up in Castlemaine so we had a
look around there as well.
It was lovely day, well organised by Ken and Glenn our many thanks to them for doing that.
11
RENAUL MEDIA cont.
also underlines Renault’s determination to take maximum
advantage of its motorsport and electric vehicle expertise.
This involvement with the French team will allow Renault to
maximise the coverage of its participation in the new championship which promises to be particularly attractive. It’s the
start of a whole new discipline and motorsport fans will be
treated to a great show with a new format that will take the
action into the heart of several major cities.
e.dams-Renault has announced that its drivers for the
2014/2015 championship will be Nicolas Prost and Sébastien Buemi.
Renault is also very pleased with the work achieved in association with Spark on the Spark-Renault car which all the
teams will use during the first year of the series, and will
continue to help Spark to provide the best possible technical
service to all the participating teams according to Patrice
Ratti, President of Renault Sport.
From left to right Patrice Ratti, Sébastien Buemi, Jean-Paul Driot,
Nicolas Prost, Alain Prost
2014/2015 FIA FORMULA E CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR
13/09/2014: Beijing
18/10/2014: Putrajaya
13/12/2014: Punta del Este
10/01/2015: Buenos Aires
14/02/2015: Venue to be confirmed
14/03/2015: Miami
04/04/2015: Los Angeles
09/05/2015: Monaco
30/05/2015: Berlin
27/06/2015: London
Constantly wrecking old and new Renaults
as well as all other French marques
New & used parts can be sent world wide
With our new, second hand and reconditioned parts supply and knowledge,
combined with a low labour rate, make
us your one stop Renault, Peugeot and
Citroen shop
34 King St. Airport West
Vic 3042
Phone (03) 9338 8191
Fax (03) 9335 4002
frenchconnect@bigpond.com
12
FROM THE MD’S DESK AT RENAULT
Justin Hocevar speaks
Managing Director, Renault Australia
Australia is the lucky country partly because we have Tasmania’s awesome driving roads. As you read this I will be
rewinding (yet again) in my mind the drive we have just completed around some of the most majestic, challenging and
invigorating roads in the world, as I have been experiencing
them in the latest Renault Sport cars.
We decided to share this experience with a select group of
Australian motoring media, so hopefully you will read about
their exploits over the summer.
On hand to put the corners to the test were the latest limited
edition Mégane R.S.275 Trophy, the new Clio R.S. Monaco
GP limited edition plus an array of the existing Renault Sport
range Clios and Méganes.
It’s a tough job, but that’s what they pay me for.
The timing couldn’t have been better because we recently
discovered Australia is the second largest market in the world
for RS cars, after France. We have more driving enthusiasts
in Australia than even the UK, when it comes to the RS range.
Great news indeed for the future, as it should point to earlier
access to the new and exciting product down the track.
Next up of course is the exclusive Mégane R.S. 275 Trophy-R.
If you think of this track-bred, Nurburgring-stormer as the GT3
of the RS Mégane range you’ll know its going to be a brilliantly-focussed high-performance car.
Not all of my waking hours have been consumed by cornering RS models through breathtaking beauty, though. We are
gearing up for the launch of the much-anticipated Captur
light segment crossover, which will be here early in 2015.
This is a car that has defined the segment in Europe, substantially outselling
its rivals, of which there are many there,
and increasingly here in Australia. However we are confident the Captur will
follow in the wheel tracks of the new Clio,
which has become our best-selling model
line in Australia in its first year on sale.
Clio has also done well in media group-tests against its deadliest rivals in recent weeks, and further acclaim is not far away.
Clio certainly has captivated Australians across the board.
Renault has been aiming for and achieving new milestones
in terms of growing the family of customers across the country in 2014. We have added yet more dealer points this year
to provide increased access to Renaults to more of the population. In regional and rural areas, the appetite for Renault’s
comfortable, well-equipped and classy passenger cars and
hard-working light commercials has never been stronger.
We’ll exceed our stretch target of 9000 sales for the year,
and forge ahead into 2015 determined to bring more smiles
to more faces, spreading more ‘joie de vivre’ among Australia’s motorists.
And don’t be shy to put your RS on the Spirit of Tasmania and
have a crack at those roads yourself. Responsibly, of course.
Managing Director
Renault Australia
Car Club Message December 2014
AN F1 EXPERIENCE
Iain Banks drives an F1 car
Iain Banks - Car Magazine, June 2000
Being behind the wheel of Formula One car is about as farremoved from any other motoring experience as you can
imagine. Some might say indescribable. Not if you are one
of the country’s leading novelists.
Clutch out. Vibration previously merely intense leaps to
merge with the psychotic engine scream. Exit pits, wheel
twitching. Clutch in, second gear, aim for a cone gate on far
side of track. Gear change. Turn. Stamp on brake. Aim to
just miss two cones. Turn it. Hands twisted round now, right
one just above knees, left glove just poking out of cockpit
into airstream. Apex. Hands gradually back to lateral. Feed
in power progressif, progressif, aiming towards the corner
exit cone. More power, pressed back in seat – engine making my teeth buzz – glance at revs, a single red LED numeral
underneath the slither of windscreen. Change up, thrown
This is a reprint of an article that first
appeared in Car Magazine in June 2000.
back in seat, engine screams, rev glance, change up, engine
howling higher still, change again into fifth, engine howling
higher still, change again into fifth, acceleration still fierce,
helmet starting to buffet from the slipstream like some maniac on speed’s sitting in the air intake behind me playing
pat-a-cake with my head.
Almost time to think here on Golf, the long curve out of Estoril that unwinds to a straight. Cones ahead. They’re alongside before the thought’s even had time to skip to shortterm memory. Really stamp on the brakes. ‘I brake, I wait.’
Slam forward to fourth, muff fourth to third trying to go diagonal. Just like I’ve been warned. Second, then. Haul round,
even sharper this time. Progressif power again, shifting up
while the engine bellows and rasps, rising high and shrill
towards the peak of its power as fast as a bike’s. I take what
13
CALENDAR
October
1st
Committee Meeting
7.30pm Committee meeting, Manningham Club
Closing date for October‘s The Victorian Renault advertisements and contributions
5th
Sporting
Rob Roy Come and Try Hillclimb day (MGCC)
12th
Sporting
Super Sprints Come and Try Day 1, Sandown (MSCA)
18-19th Sporting
Mt Tarrengower Historic Hillclimb (BCC).
19th
Sporting
Autocross, Ballarat Motor Sport Complex (BLCC)
21st
General Meeting
6:30pm Penrite Oil Showroom (MotoFluid), Factory 17/11 Havelock Rd, Bayswater
Presentation and then a look a their collection of historic racers.
24-26th Event
Motorclassica, Royal Exhibition Buildings
25th
Sporting
VMC Round 9 Huntly (Saturday). Contact Glenn Armstrong on 0413 107 131
26th
Social
2014 French Car Festival. Macleay Park, Belmore Rd, Balwyn. Melway 46 C4
2nd
Sporting
Rob Roy Interclub Challenge Hillclimb Round 3.
November
5th
Committee Meeting
Closing date for November’s The Victorian Renault advertisements and contributions
7-9th Sporting
Historic Sandown (VHRR). RCCV are Paddock Marshals.
18th
7:30pm Dorothy Laver Reserve Pavilion, Glen Iris
Speaker Andrew Wilson from Bush Fire Management of DEPI (Vic Gov)
General Meeting
23rd Sporting
VMC Round 10 Pakenham. Contact Glenn Armstrong on 0413 107 131
23rd Sporting
Super Sprint Come and Try Day 2, Winton (MSCA)
28-30th Sporting / Social
Geelong Revival Motoring Festival (Geelong Sprints) Geelong Waterfront
Planned to also be the club social day for November - details to be decided
December
2rd
Committee Meeting
Closing date for Summer’s The Victorian Renault advertisements and contributions
16th
General Meeting
7:30pm Xmas Party at the Rob & Kay Belcourt’s place - 69 Karnak Rd Glen Iris
Ample parking, partners and family welcome
January 2015
6th
Committee Meeting
Closing date for January’s The Victorian Renault advertisements and contributions
20th
General Meeting
24-25th Sporting
Jugiong Interstate Challenge Motorkhana.
25th
VMC Round 1. Ararat. Contact Graeme Edwards on 0408 057 525
14
Sporting
CALENDAR
February
3rd
Committee Meeting
Closing date for February‘s The Victorian Renault advertisements and contributions
17th
General Meeting
22rd Social
10:00am 2015 Renault Round-Up. Docklands Piazza.8:30am for display vehicles
March
3rd
Committee Meeting
Closing date for Autumn‘s The Victorian Renault advertisements and contributions
8th
Event
8:00am Vintage Drivers Club Annual Yarra Glen Swapmeet, Yarra Glen Racecourse
17th
General Meeting
22nd Social
Picnic at Hanging Rock drive day
April
7th
Committee Meeting
Closing date for April‘s The Victorian Renault advertisements and contributions
21st
General Meeting
26th
Social
TBA
May
5th
Committee Meeting
Closing date for May‘s The Victorian Renault advertisements and contributions
19th
General Meeting
24th
Social
TBA
June
7th
Committee Meeting
Closing date for Winter‘s The Victorian Renault advertisements and contributions
21st
General Meeting
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15
COOKING WITH GABRIEL GATÉ
Scallop Mouse with a Prawn Sauce
This scallop mousse is a very delicate dish suitable for the finest dinner party.
You will need four ½-cup capacity buttered soufflé moulds for this recipe.
Ingredients
(Serves 4)
350g cleaned scallops, without the roe
2 eggs
200ml cream
salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 green prawns, medium-sized
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 French shallot, finely chopped
10 fennel seeds
1/4 cup tomato passata
100 ml dry white wine
a little chilli powder
1/3 cup finely cut chives
Method
Preheat oven to 140°C. Butter four ½-cup capacity soufflé moulds.
Place scallops in a food processor and process to form a
puree. Add eggs and process to combine. Transfer to a
bowl and mix in half the cream. Season with salt and
pepper. Spoon mixture into prepared moulds, then place
in a baking dish. Add enough hot water to the baking
dish to reach 2 cm up the sides of moulds. Bake for 2022 minutes or until set and cooked through.
Meanwhile, peel and devein prawns leaving the tail intact, reserving shells.
Heat oil in a saucepan over high heat. Cook prawn shells
for 3 minutes. Add shallot and fennel seeds and cook for
2 minutes. Add the tomato puree and wine. Bring to the
boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
Add the remaining cream to the pan and
stir to combine. Cook for another 3
minutes. Strain sauce into a bowl, discarding solids, then return to the pan. Reduce
heat to medium. Add the prawn meat and
gently cook for 2-3 minutes or until pink
and cooked through. Season with salt, pepper and chilli powder.
Carefully invert the scallop mousse onto
serving plates (they are quite delicate).
Spoon a little prawn sauce over each, and
garnish with prawns. Scatter over chives
and serve.
to watch Gabriel doing this recipe and giving tips, go to
www.sbs.com.au/food/recipes/scallop-mousse-prawn-sauce-mousseline-de-coquilles-st-jacques-sauce-crevette
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GENERAL MEETINGS
At the General Meetings
Geoff Rasmussen
August
Our guest speaker for the August general meeting was club
patron Gabriel Gate. In recent years, Gabriel has produced
a show for SBS that follows the Tour de France and presents
the food and cooking, and wines, of the towns and districts
the tour of that year passes through.
several times because it’s just to hard to decide where to go
and where to leave out.
Gabriel’s obvious love of his homeland - all of it - gave his
thorough knowledge a deep and irresistible warmth and
allure. Thanks Gabriel, it was a thoroughly enjoyable talk to
listen to - despite the envy pangs. Now, how to persuade
the club that the magazine really needs an article extensively researched, on-site in France, by the editor...
September
September saw us down at the Williamstown cop shop, not
because we’d been naughty but because we were visiting
the Water Police who have their headquarters and command
centre at the back.
Leading Snr Constable Dave Henry gave us a good insight
into the sorts of things the water police get involved in while
showing us the command centre. I don’t know how they
managed before modern comms and IT tech as the room
was literally wall to wall computers, screens and networking
gear - and a stacked rack of whiteboards. Really, every wall
except for two doors.
Well, it wasn’t too long after the map went up on the wall and
Gabriel started talking that the envy kicked in. The video covered the production of the show as well as some of the aired
material, and it was clear that Gabriel and friends were having
a great time making the show. How do you like that - someone pays you to go back to your home country, follow the tour
and spend a lot of time sticking your face into food and wine.
I thought at the beginning I’d get a few tips and work out the
best places to go when (if) I get the chance to spend time in
France. The first district sounded wonderful - beautiful
scenery, gorgeous villages, lovely tempting food and even
more tempting wines. ‘Right, that goes on the list’ I thought.
The next one went on the list also - different but just as
tempting food and wine, equally gorgeous environment. And
the next, and the next.
I’m pretty sure that by the time Gabriel had finished everywhere in France was on the list, though I given up chalking
them up long ago. Though his annual show only covers the
path of the tour, Gabriel wasn’t leaving out any part of
France that was ‘wonderful’. I think I’m going to have to go
Then it was down the stairs and out the back to look at the
toys. These boys have some serious water toys. A bunch of
jet skis, a few inflatable zodiacs, a couple of proper big boats
and a pair of high speed RIBs (rigid inflatable boat) as pictured. The RIBs can get ten persons - obviously more than just
the crew - to where they need to be at 50 knots (93 km/h).
Dave was a little coy on some things, as all police get about
counter-terrorism preparedness, but his run-down of the
search and rescue process was fascinating. Time and tide
may wait for no man, but the water police certainly have their
numbers! And know what to do with them.
Several people said it was one of the best Club visits away
for some time - with the icing on the cake for quite a few,
being the fact that Dave was a Renault enthusiast of the first
order!! His Mégane parked out back side-tracked most of us
on the way back - it was rather special and very nice indeed.
It was also pleasing that we raised $150 for the Blue Ribbon
Appeal...far more than the usual biscuits we used to buy!!
Our thanks to Ken Marriott for organising the visit
18
October
We were out and about again for the October, this time to
Penrite Oils out east in Bayswater. It wasn’t the first time
we’ve been there though it’s been a few years since our last
visit. This time we had the company of a number of members from the Citroen car club with whom it was pleasant to
rub shoulders.
The talk on oils covering how they are constructed from various ingredients for specific purposes was as fascinating as
always. Each new generation of engines - and gearboxes seems to involve the invention of new oils. Or at least new
oil formulations.
When it comes to automatic gearboxes the tales of those
destroyed by the ‘wrong’ transmission oil are legion. Give
me a manual any day, autos might not be ‘slush boxes’ any
more but they are just too damn pernickety about their oils
for my liking. But I digress...
One of the things that delights me is that our very own Penrite
oils, born and bred here in Melbourne, is right up there with
the world’s very best. And they haven’t forgotten about those
of us who cherish the old ones. Penrite now have an oil with
extra ‘tackiness’ for engines that may sit for some time waiting
for a run. I’m not talking china ducks on the wall tackiness
here, but oil that clings to the surfaces for longer so it stays
where it needs to be for longer when the engine isn't running.
They might have had it last time, but I don’t remember it.
They also told us about a new feature on their web-site
where you enter your vehicle - including your old classics and it advises you on which of their oils is the one to use.
It’s good;; I tried it on a good sample of old stuff and it didn’t
gag on any old Renaults so I reckon someone has been pretty thorough!
But, of course, the highlight of the night was looking at the
toys. John Dymond, who purchased the company from the
founder in 1979, was a car enthusiast and over the years
collected a number of special cars - racing and otherwise and the premises in Bayswater is as much museum as workshop. We got to have a close look, while keeping our drool
off the vehicles, of course.
Penrite oils always have quite a few of their staff on hand for
questions and so forth and this night was no exception. It
was great to hear the detail of what was being done to restore a particular old racer (I really should have written down
details of what it was!) from the man who’s doing it. He’s
been at it a couple of years now and I could say he’s a bit
slow but them I look at the rate of progress on my restorations and think I should just shut up.
They mechanics were also busy getting ready for the Historic
Sandown race that was only a few weeks away then. This is
the event that the club provided pit paddock marshalling for.
The things is, these old racing cars in Penrite’s ‘museum’ are
still out there doing what they were created to do - go out and
race hard. They are not just put away and just ‘looked at’.
My only criticism - and it’s minor, very minor I’ll grant you - is
that John Dymond loved British cars and the collection reflects this. There’s hope though that his successors Toby
and Nigel will broaden the range - It seems certain they’ll
continue the ’collecting’ habit.
Our thanks go to Rob Belcourt for organising this visit. btw,
you won’t find minutes for this GM as a formal meeting
wasn’t conducted;; I think we got distracted by the cars.
19
BUSINESS REVIEW
Make a Stop at Superstop
Ken Marriottt
You may have seen the advert on page 8 of our last edition
of The Victorian Renault...and if not, have a look at page 6 of
this edition: Superstop.
Superstop is our newest commercial supporter and clearly,
an important service provider to the motor industry: they
import, distribute, repair and remanufacture anything and
everything to do with brakes, clutches and shockers.... and
have been doing so from their sole premises at 727-729
Whitehorse Road, Mont Albert for more than 4 decades.
That’s service!
Product lines include those from LuK, Exedy, dba, KYB and
Bremtec while the workshop is fully engaged in disc, drum and
flywheel machining, brake hose manufacturing, performance
clutch upgrades, and cylinder honing and reconditioning.
Originally known as Bruce Taylor Superstop, the business
has been run by a small group of partners since Bruce sold
out many years back. One of those partners, Mick Cree, has
been with the firm for more than 40 years himself, having
arrived after finishing his apprenticeship at Dustings of Burwood. Mick is now the Superstop Sales Director.
Like Mick, many of the team of 10 staff at Superstop have
come across from other similar backgrounds to apply their
specialist skills to the reconditioning, re-machining and
remanufacturing of parts across all marques and all ages
of cars.
Together, Mick and his work colleagues have grown Superstop into one of the largest and most trusted independent
brake and clutch specialists in Victoria.
Superstop has 3 vans on the road every day collecting and
delivering parts across a 20 kilometre and more radius from
Box Hill. Delivery Australia-wide is also available.
Across the counter jobs are welcome so if you have anything
that needs the skills of a high standard and reputable firm...as
well as one that supports our Club, Superstop is the “go”!
Superstop is at 727-729 Whitehorse Road, Mont Albert, 3127
You can call on 1300 777
867 or email your queries
to
sales@superstop.com.au
or just pop in and say the
Renault Club sent you: we
know that you will be most
welcome!
Photos:
Glenn Armstrong
20
AN F1 EXPERIENCE cont.
feels like my first breath since the start. I think I’m just
about in control here and that’s two and a half corners without stalling, spinning or crashing, but wow this is intense.
Lordy mama;; this is just the F3 machine. What’s the F1 car
going to be like?
I’m at Magny-Cours in deepest France with 14 others; all
here to drive an F1 car. And Stephan is the man. Our instructor, I think we imprint on him like newly hatched chicks. He’s
a garcon grand in the F1 International team which owns and
runs the cars we’re about to drive. He’s black-haired,
smoothly rugged, tan. He literally sizes us up, glancing at us,
then handing out Nomex suits in the company’s red and
black. We complete our kitting up with gloves, balaclavas,
helmets and red suede boots. A few have their own outfits; I
decide they’re the Serious Guys. The racks of gear are in the
pit units just a few metres from the cars: three red Laurousses from 1994 in F1 International red. I lean one leg lightly,
momentarily, against the rear wheel of one and it rolls gently
across the garage floor. Of course, the cars are not just unexpectedly light, they also don’t have a handbrake, any more
than they have silencers or starter motors. We do the circuit
first in a Peugeot 806. Stephan drives us round the course –
sweep to this side, brake now, skirt the apex here – and we
go very slowly while he explains. Then we’re travelling at
highly unlikely speeds. I honestly never expected to travel
that fast around round a corner in a people carrier in my life.
The briefing proper is in the track control room, and majors on
degressif braking and progressif acceleration. It also emphasises we are not here to race or become F1 drivers in one day.
We are here to do no less, and no more, than drive a real F1
car on a real F1 course (Magny-Cours hosts the French Grand
Prix this year on 2 July. Where we walk today, M. Schumacher
and everybody else, the whole, gaudy circus of modern F1, will
walk, sashay, roll, limp, pout, grin, growl and wheel itself in
just six weeks. Around us, all over the circuit, the preening
continues throughout the day as Magny-Cours readies itself).
We are told bluntly that the F3 drive is not only to get us familiar with the course and – for those of us not used to it – with
single-seater driving, vital though that is;; it’s also to weed out
any nutters. The Laurosses may not be fresh off last year’s
starting grid but they are still the genuine article – rather more
than 700bhp in a body weighing less than 600kg. No rev limiter, no following a pace car, no F3 engine in an F1 body. Instead the real shebang, and once you’re inn that carbonfibre
tub it’s just you, the car and the circuit. You have easily
enough power to kill or seriously injure yourself anywhere on
the track (we’re shown a couple of ugly-looking black scars on
the start-finish line where people in F3s thought they could
mash the faster pedal once clear of the corner. Instant wheelspin, catherine-wheel impression and slam!)
Accordingly, the F1 International people want to find out who
are over-enthusiastic early on, and, if they can’t be persuaded to calm down, politely let them walk away with their lap
money refunded.
Conditions are near perfect; a little dampness left over from
the night quickly goes and we have a sunny April day on our
hands and beneath our wheels. The F3 cars look slightly toylike compared to the F1 machines. They have 170bhp and
weigh barely half a tonne. The shift is on the right; a H plus a
sprung slot to the left for first, used only for pulling away.
The windscreen is hilarious; a thin scrap of Perspex only half
an inch high ridging the front of the cockpit. It looks like a
giant’s toe nail clipping. I wriggle into the narrow cockpit. I’m
strapped in; the lower webbing tight enough to feel like a
corset and the upper straps so hard down over my shoulders
I feel my spine compress. A final run through the minimal
instruments and controls. It’s now I start to get really nervous. Mouth dry. When I first tried the gloves on earlier, they
felt clammy. Know why now.
F3s have starter motors. I’m prepared for the noise. Not for
the vibration. It’s like falling into a hopper full of maxed-out
Black and Deckers. The engine is buzzing like a hive full of
killer bees on methedrine and it really wants to share this
with you. I wear glasses, I have filings, I’m forty-bleeding-six.
I imagine the tiny screws holding my specs together gently
revolving out of their frames. I can feel my fillings adopting
sympathetic vibrations of a wholly different nature and frequency from the teeth they’re housed. I can feel bones, sinews, organs, under-used muscles and individuals cells my
brain hasn’t had to pay attention to in four-and-a-half decades all suddenly in chorus going what the?
I’m second out. The car leaps away, I back off, the revs
plummet – going to stall it! – back on the power with a reasonable semblance of smoothness in the circumstances.
Change up and what might almost be called a modicum of
calm prevails so that I actually feel I’ve achieved something
just by making it out of the pit lane.
These are the rules: yellow flag means problem ahead, so
slow down until you pass it. Red mean’s something’s seriously wrong, slow right down and go to the pits at the first opportunity, Blue means someone’s behind you wanting to overtake, so let them. I end up establishing quite a relationship
with the Blue Flag guys. They’re the same blokes who wear
the other ones, but I like to think of them as the Blue Flag
guys because I feel we spend so much quality time together.
Partly because of my inexperience and general cautiousness
(absolutely no way timidity or nervousness, obviously) and
my cack-handedness with the gearbox, I’m overtaken in both
F3 sessions. I even have to re-start half-way round one lap.
At least I can do that without help. Can’t in the F1 machines.
I content myself with the thought that I haven’t spun. A couple do and come in for Stern Words. I have some lunch,
which is doubtless fine (pasta; so you can even eat like real
F1 drivers), but frankly I’m dispirited and it doesn’t taste so
good to be. F1 briefing follows.
It’s all about the power, and weight transfer. The F1 cars
weigh 600kg. In a Lamborghini Diablo – a maniac, kaka offa-shovel device if ever there was one – each bhp has nearly
three kilos to move around. In what we’re to be driving, each
horse only has to shift 800 grams. Under acceleration drivers get hit with 2.5gs, under braking it’s four gs. Static, the
21
AN F1 EXPERIENCE cont.
car’s weight is distributed 240/360kg front to back,. But
they’re not designed to be static, they are never balanced
like that underway save for the most fleeting, transitional
instant. Foot on the fast pedal, over half a tonne of pressure
goes down through the back wheels, with the remainder to
steer with. Under severe braking there’s even greater disparity. Never mind the fact that the engine and gearbox are way
back there and they make up the vast majority of the weight
of the car. Never mind that the cars are so solidly spring that
when you step into the tub it’s like there are no wheels on
the thing and the undertray is lying on the concrete floor of
the garage. None of that matters. When you brake hard,
almost all of the weight goes to the front wheels – the Brembo brakes biting into the dark chocolate brown carbon discs
like an Orca with lockjaw – and those vast rear tyres have
barely 25kg each pressing them into the deck.
Try jumping on the accelerator coming out of a corner and
you’ll snap into a spin before you’re foot’s a quarter-way to the
stop and way before your brain registers the fact. Our instructions are strict; if you do start to spin, try to kick the brake
pedal through the bulkhead as though your life depends on it,
because it just might. For the precious instants that you remain on the tarmac you can scrub off speed like a bastard
doing this. So that when you hit the grass or the gravel and
have all the poise and control of a just-born foal on an icerink, you shouldn’t carry too much momentum toward whatever barrier is finally brining you to a stop. ‘You can break your
legs at 60mph,’ Stephan reminds us, more than once. You
could almost sense every head in the room replaying Schuey
charging for the wall at last year’s British Grand Prix, trailing
dust like vanishing dreams. Nobody even mentions Senna.
But I’m in. Trussed. Nervous. Quietly quaking. Gloved hands
on the Momo wheel (not a wheel at all, of course; a sort of
stickily rubbered horned thing, like an equals sign squeezed
down between two brackets) Ah yes, the paddle gear shifts.
Great. This might make life easier compared to the F3s.
Then all I have to worry about is four times the power.
One of our three Laurosses is scrapped for the day with
mechanical problems, another is wheeled back to the garage for some running gearbox maintenance. I can’t be sure
if I’m not driving the only car we’ll have today. Suppose I
crash it, even small time? I might survive the wreck but the
other guys would skin me alive. A push start (actually, the air
-powered starting machine they use in the pits is almost
noisier than they engine). Second gear selected. Five millimetres of accelerator (like I can calibrate my ankle that
accurately). The shout ‘Allez! Go!’ Clutch out.
The sound assaults. I feel like a shell in a gun. The car leaps
forward like a Navy fighter slung from a carrier. Feather
slightly, pull back on the right paddle for second, exit pits.
Assume the line. First gentle corner again, burst of – Holy
shit! – power, then the counter-intuitive braking. It’s not
really counter-intuitive, it’s just counter to anything I’ve
learned in a road car, apart from how to do emergency
stops. You stamp on the pedal. And stay stamped. It’s 40kg
of pressure called for in the F3s; 80 in the F1s.
‘I brake, I wait’ Stephan said. The first part of the braking
zone is the one place in each corner you have even the most
microscopic amount of time to think, because initially, brake
is all you do. Meanwhile, having just rearranged themselves
after acceleration and then cornering, your internal organs
struggle to find yet another novel configuration. I suspect bits
of my insides that didn’t know the other parts existed have
found themselves on term close to intimate, all jellied up
together like passengers in a tube train.
I start changing down (not too fast, or the engine blows up).
Apex. Push the accelerator delicately, smoothly, trying to keep
the whole foot on it, not just the ball. The LCD screen swings
the revs on a ballistic curve from left to right, starting at 3000
and ending at 13,000rpm. The power…is crushing, awesome,
frightening, dazzling. And synesthetic; over-spilling to invade
and co-opt the sense that don’t appreciate it from first principles, obliterating divisions in the mind, searing tis impression
forever into the deepest places in the memory. The car reacts
instantly to every input like it’s responding to intentions, not
actions. I thought I was strapped in here almost too tight to
breath, but I’m still slammed back in the seat. Forget the
earplugs, left them at the hotel.
Can’t make our the rev display for some reason but my right
ear becomes my change-up signal; when the sound rises
beyond pulverisingly, Unbelievably intense and makes the
transition to seriously painful, then it’s time to flick the right
hand paddle. The engine howls like a million tortured cats
and I’m thrown back in the seat, again and again, through to
sixth gear. Here, the car flicks forward like a fast road car
does in first with the clutch slipped, and keeps on accelerating, hard. I’d love to report that the stands flicked past but I
couldn’t see them at all, all I could see was the dash display,
the track surface, and the cones.
The hairpin at Adelaide comes flashing towards me. Stand
on the brakes. There is no real seat in the car, just a sort of
back-shaped scoop and a ridge in the carbonfibre forward of
my bum to stop my sliding forwards and submarining in the
footwell. Technical problem. Under the sliver of screen the
red LED claims we’re still in sixth, even though I can feel and
hear the car changing down. The LCD rev count stays stuck
at sixth, even though I can hear the blipping, rising, whining,
falling cacophony inches behind my head. I come in to report
and electrical problem. Things are fiddled with,. I sit there,
buzzing. Car back out. Me back in it. Not so much shaking as
vibrating. Push start again; blasted, catapulted forward once
more, the instant the engine fires (you never get entirely
used to this, the kind of detonatory violence here, a nerve jolting, expectation-confounding sensation of exaggeration,
the way that tiny causes – five millimetres there, a twitch
here – bring about such livid, bowel-churning, skeletonstraining effects). Another two laps; the gears should change
with the paddles alone, but I’m having to dip the clutch to
make them work. So, in again. Two more.
22
FOR THE THINKERS
Who owns which Renault
It’s display day and there’s five Renaults lined up. They
all have their charms but which one is the Van and which
does Erwin own?
Fill in the grid using the clues to find out
Vehicle
Colour
Body
Owner
State
1 The Alpine is red
8 The Coupe is in the middle
2 Doug owns the Megane
9 The R4 is first
3 The wagon is green
10 The car from NSW is next to Alex’s
4 The R12 is a sedan
11 The car from Victoria is next to Bill’s
5 The green car is to the right of the white one
12 The hatch is from Queensland
6 Col lives in SA
13 The Laguna is from Tasmania
7 The yellow car is from Victoria
14 The R4 is next to the blue car
Iain Banks drives an F1 car cont.
And I’m left standing stunned in the sun. The afternoon
wears on. Everyone gets their laps. Out of the Nomex. Standing in the shower back at the hotel, still reverberating with
the clamour of sensations and emotions of the day, I can
hear, through the bathroom ventilation, the cars screaming
around the circuit half a kilometre away.
My memories are still in the process of etching and burning
and bedding in. Feelings, impressions are still bubbling up. I
did a handful of laps at nothing like the speed proper F1
drivers achieve and - two days later – my shoulders and
arms still ache. To do, to compete, over 60 or 70 laps after
all the practice sessions…seriously fit.
The Grand Prix experience must be a curious blend of finding
a groove, a rhythm, that lets you drive smoothly, in the midst
of the mayhem that is surrounding you, while at the same
time keeping an absolutely razor-like extremity of readiness
that lets you react instantly to both threat and opportunity.
I’ve driven more intensely than I’ve ever driven in my life. I
felt huge relief at not spinning or crashing or even stalling. I
felt, and feel, incredibly privileged.. So, is it worth it? If you
really want to have an inkling of what it’s like to be those F1
guys (on the track, anyway; the day does not include your
own mega Winnebago, Bell Jetranger, Lear or queue of
blondes desperate for sex with you,) then this is a genuine
way of doing it. You can go out and buy exactly the same
tennis racket and gear as the pros use, you might even blag
your way into helping paly-in Centre Court before Wimbledon
starts, but you’ll never know what it’s like, because the essence of the experience is too human-centric, the defining
limits set almost entirely by muscles, nerves and reactions,
and you can’t just assume those. Same applies to almost
every other sport.
But with F1 it’s the cars – and the track – that define a large
proportion of the limits, and you can really drive one on the
other, where the reach of your abilities, while still way below
that of the professionals will take you proportionally closer
to the totality of the experience. You’ll never be Coulthard or
Hakkinen, you may never even be one of the most hapless
make-weights lucky to get a place at the back of the grid.
But so what? You can taste a little bit of that fabulously rarefied world. You can, maybe, peek into the souls of people
taking part in one of the most extreme events on the planet,
and you know you’ve shared more than dreams with them.
And for that, if it’s what you want…oh yes. Worth remortgaging the house.
23
MOTOR SPORT - FORMULA ONE
September 2014 Formula 1 Wrap Up
Pamela Talevska
Since the Belgian Grand Prix last month, the Mercedes AMG
F1 team soap opera has continued. After the Italian and
Singapore Grands Prix, Hamilton jumped Rosberg in the
Driver’s Championship after a Rosberg DNF, with Australian
Daniel Ricciardo still hanging on to third place.
Let’s see how September progressed keeping a close eye on
Lotus F1, Red Bull Racing, Scuderia Toro Rosso and Caterham F1 – the four teams which are supplied with the Renault Energy F1-2014 power unit this year, making up just
over one-third of the field.
Italian Grand Prix
There were a few pieces of news in the lead up to the Italian
Grand Prix. NASCAR team owner, Gene Haas, announced
that Haas F1 Team would compete in Formula 1 from 2016
onwards using the Ferrari gearbox and power unit package,
and also benefitting from a technical support agreement
with the Scuderia. And, controversially, a week before the
Italian GP, the gravel-trap run-off on the outside of the Parabolica corner was replaced with asphalt, removing some of
the challenge of the final turn.
In qualifying on Saturday, the Mercedes duo locked-out the
front row with the two Williams cars behind on the second
row. Hamilton made a terrible race start after a ‘mode’ issue
with his car, but recovered to win the race. A crucial pass on
Rosberg came on lap 29 when Hamilton pressured the German into locking up his wheels and running down an escape
road. Rosberg held onto second place at Monza with the
Williams pair just behind.
Daniel Ricciardo finished the race in fifth place in his Red Bull
Racing car after passing teammate Vettel near the end of the
race, with the German holding on to sixth place. The two Toro
Rosso’s finished just outside the points with Vergne finishing
in 13th, and Kvyat finishing in 11th, salvaging a good result
after being given a 10 spot grid penalty, relegating him to
21st on the grid, after he needed to use a sixth power unit.
The current regulations only allow the use of five power units
(engine plus energy recovery system) per season.
The Lotus cars of Maldonado and Grosjean finished in 14th
and 16th respectively, and the recently returned Kobayashi,
who was briefly replaced by Andre Lotterer at the Belgian
GP, finished in 17th, with his Caterham teammate Ericsson
finishing in 19th.
After the Italian Grand Prix, the rumour mill suggested that
Rosberg had purposely let Hamilton past after Rosberg
caused Hamilton’s retirement at the Belgian Grand Prix. Of
course, Mercedes refuted the rumour, but it did add to the
Mercedes soap opera that has been playing out this year.
Singapore Grand Prix
The big story before the Singapore Grand Prix was the ban of
certain types of radio communication between teams and
24
drivers. The FIA banned teams from relaying information
about the performance of the car or driver, providing a detailed listing of examples of what not to say.
Rosberg, who was due to start the Singapore Grand Prix
from second place behind his Mercedes teammate, had
issues with the car on the grid prior to the race start. The
issue, which was related to wiring in his steering column,
meant Rosberg started the race from pit lane after being
unable to take part in the formation lap unassisted. After
starting the race from the pit lane he struggled in the opening laps of the race, obviously lacking in pace, until lap 13
when he retired. Kobayashi was another driver with problems on the formation lap, unable to start the race after a
braking failure.
Hamilton led Alonso and the two Red Bull’s away at the start
and maintained the race lead until a safety car period midway through the race after Perez and Sutil collided. Hamilton, who needed to pit again after the safety car, worked
hard to create a substantial gap to the Red Bull Racing cars
behind once the track returned to green conditions. After
pitting, Hamilton came out behind Vettel, however was able
to pass Vettel easily with the fresher tyres, and went on to
win the race with the Red Bulls and Alonso behind.
Vergne finished the race in an impressive sixth position in
his Toro Rosso, with his teammate Kvyat finishing the race
in 14th. Maldonado and Grosjean placed 12th and 13th
respectively in their Lotus cars, with the remaining Renaultpowered car of Ericsson finishing in 15th in his Caterham.
World Drivers’ Championship Standings
The two Mercedes drivers still lead the Championship, with
Hamilton jumping Rosberg after Rosberg’s retirement at
Singapore.
With three points splitting the Mercedes pair, Ricciardo still
sits in third in the Drivers’ Championship 60 points behind
Hamilton.
Vettel has moved from sixth to fifth place, with Alonso maintaining fourth place in the Drivers’ Championship, 48 points
behind Ricciardo.
Of the remaining Renault-powered cars, Vergne still sits in
13th place with 19 points, Grosjean and Kvyat both have
eight points and sit in 14th and 15th respectively, and Ericsson, Maldonado, Kobayshi and Lotterer yet to score a point.
World Constructors’ Championship Standings
In the Constructors’ Championship, Mercedes maintains
their lead on 479 points, with Red Bull Racing in second
position with a 174-point deficit to Mercedes. Of the Renault
-powered teams, Toro Rosso sits in seventh place, Lotus in
eighth place, and Caterham is in ninth (last) place.
CLUB SHOP
MERCHANDISE
RCCV Caps
$5.00
Renault Caps
$5.00
RCCV Key Rings
$5.00
RCCV Lapel Pin
$4.00
RCCV Number Plate Surrounds
$5.00
Model Cars
Various
$10 - $50.00
Renault Pens
$3.00
DVD's-Rob Roy Hill Climb 2010
$3.00
Renault Polo Shirts (Red/ Grey/ Black )
$10.00
RCCV Polo Shirts
$25.00
Magnets
$5 - $10.00
Renault Key Rings
Various
$10 - $25.00
Renault Match Booklet (old/ collectible!)
$2.00
Tyre Valve Caps
$15.00
Old Sales Brochures/Glove Box Manuals
Various
RCCV Mugs
$5.00
The club shop is expanding its range of items and actively new and interesting things.
The shop will be at every three or four general meetings rather than every one but you can contact Kay Belcourt if you want
something in particular from the above stock list.
RENAULT AUSTRALIA VICTORIAN DEALERSHIPS
www.renault.com.au
Ballarat Renault
1051 Howitt St
Wendouree
(03) 5339 5744
Brighton Renault
797 Nepean Hwy
Brighton East
(03) 9599 2100
Barry Bourke Renault
755 Princess Hwy
Berwick
(03) 9707 2222
Bendigo Renault
21-27 Midland Hwy
Epsom
(03) 5430 4000
City Automobiles
539 Church St
Richmond
(03) 9429 7045
Eastern Renault
25 Hewish Rd
Croydon
(03) 9723 5555
Sale Renault
124-138 York St
Sale
(03) 5144 2133
Essendon Renault
600 Mt Alexander Rd
Moonee Ponds
(03) 8325 9339
Warragul Renault
167 Queen St
Warragul
(03) 5622 0000
Rex Gorell Prestige
481A Latrobe Tce
Geelong
(03) 5222 3411
Waverley Renault
350 Springvale Rd
Glen Waverley
(03) 9556 04711
25
RECYCLED RENAULT
FOR SALE
Renault 21 TXE Heater / Demister unit
Brand new, unused - will send to anywhere in Australia. Was
$600 new, asking $200
Contact: Jim Campbell on (03) 6425 6448 (Ulverstone)
Barry Bourke Renault
All club members receive 15% discount on all spare parts
purchased over the counter at Barry Bourke Renault. Please
mention that you are a club member at time of purchase.
Contact Cameron Price 97072222
1985 Renault Fuego coupe
Engine No.Fo78992
Reg No. WB 027
2 x 750
Total Distance travelled 133,000 kms
Air conditioned, electric windows, cruise control, fog lights,
all original books, tyres 80%.
Excellent condition, one owner (deceased) no kids or dogs
ever in vehicle. Road worthy certificate supplied.
Location. Benalla. Vic..
Price $4200.00 O.N.O.
Contact, Ray McPherson, Ph. 57621871
or raymcpherson2@bigpond.com
I have for sale at a price to be offered 2 Renault 750 cars
1 – 1950 and 1---1955
One car could be made from the two, there is one Engine
and gear box 6 wheels 4 new tyres 165/80 R15, a reconditioned master cylinder and all the parts to make one car
I am too busy to continue restoration ,please save them
from the scrappy
Brian Dawes at Frankston P
H 97875583 e-mail brpm@satlink .com.au
Fuego 1982 model
Colour red with quite a reasonable appearance. Bought this
a few years ago with the intention of doing the whole job
right. Then got busy, then broke my foot and having to sideline my 504 and driving automatic.
The Fuego has a rebuilt suspension, shockers, new discs on
brakes, constant velocity joints inc bearings, seals, etc. Fitted new wheels and tyres, etc. The whole looks like it wants
to go but I now wish to call it quits.
VIN yMYu081131120428. The car is parked in RHYLL
My contact no: 0428 146 030
TWS Watch
Original TW-Steel Renault F1 sponsors replica watch
$295 each $20 Donated to club
Contact Alan on 9670 0560
WANTED
RENAULT 4L Drive Shafts still wanted
Looking for a pair of drives shafts for an early (pre ‘67) R4L.
For 7 degree castor angle suspension.
Contact Geoff on 0419 357 509 or 03 9758 7065
FOR SALE — Ads in
Limited numbers of business card sized advertisements
are now available. Only $50 per year. Our readership
shares an interest with you and is predisposed to prefer
your goods or services over others. Advertise (nearly)
any kind of business, service or product.
Available now - get in early to ensure your access to this
pre-qualified market.
Call us or email rccv.tvrads@systemia.com.au
Advertising here is free for members and $10 for non-members.
Advertisements will be published in both The Victorian Renault and the RCCV newsletter
Deadline for next magazine Tuesday January 6th Send to geoff.rasmussen@systemia.com.au
26

TVR Spring 2014 - Renault Car Club of Victoria

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